The reactions of 2-diazo-1,2-diphenylethanone (1) with ketohydrazones (3a–c) in equimolecular ratio yield (diphenylacetyl)hydrazones (4a–c) of the corresponding benzophenones which on further treatment with 1 in equimolecular ratio leads to 1-diphenylacetylazo-1,1,3,3-tetraaryl-2-propanones (5a–c). The product 5a is also obtained in the reaction of 1 with benzophenone hydrazone (3a) in 2 : 1 molecular